BigTalks gives you the clarity, tools, and confidence to raise healthy, well-adjusted boys who are ready for whatever challenges adolescence throws their way.
What is the BigTalks Toolkit for Boys?
The BigTalks Toolkit for Boys is a Torah-based program designed to help parents speak to their sons about the challenges of adolescent development.
Designed in close consultation with Rabbonim and psychologists, the program combines a video presentation, discussion prompts, and individualized guidance for parents who are finding it difficult to talk about this topic with their son.
BigTalks for Boys guides you on how to have honest, open, and productive conversations with your child about his development in a comfortable and relaxed way—all in the privacy of your own home.
What are the goals of the program?
When young boys are educated about the natural changes they can expect as they enter adolescence, they are better prepared to:
Anticipate and cope with the social and spiritual challenges that accompany puberty.
Overcome anxiety and self-esteem issues over feeling “normal.”
Seek quality information from Torah-based resources and reach out for help.
Develop into emotionally healthy young men with fewer mental health challenges.
Why make this toolkit available to the public?
Today, there is seemingly endless information freely available on the internet about adolescent development—much of it inconsistent with Torah values.
We are making this program available to the public because we believe every parent deserves to feel confident and well-equipped to openly communicate with their sons about this important topic. We want to make this valuable information available to as many parents as possible.
Offering this program to parents allows you to access the material wherever you are, on your own schedule, at your own pace, and in the privacy of your own home.
What’s included?
The program features a video presentation of Rabbi Tenenbaum teaching the information to ensure that the messages you convey to your child are clear and presented with the correct tone and sensitivities.
The USB includes a video of Rabbi Shmuel Tenenbaum modeling the actual conversation to have with your child.
- Introducing the concept to your child
- Learning the tone and approach to having the conversation
- Decide if you want to watch it with your child or you want to give over the talk to your son
The Guidebook includes several other resources for parents, including:
- Understanding Normal Developmental Teenage Behavior
- Helping Your Child Establish Appropriate Boundaries
- Cultivating Tznius in the Home
- When to Consult with a Professional
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Nurture Ongoing Communication
What will my son learn?
The Jewish concept of Kedusha, emphasizing personal growth and discipline
The positive opportunities to serve Hashem through withstanding “tests” throughout our lives
The changes and challenges an adolescent can expect to face as he experiences puberty
The need to maintain the privacy of our bodies and to protect ourselves from ill-intending individuals
What will I, as the parent, learn?
How to begin a comfortable dialogue with your child about sensitive topics related to puberty
Warning signs to look for in your son’s behavior to determine if professional intervention is necessary
How to clearly and accurately respond to your child’s questions about adolescence and puberty
Professional guidance, referrals, and information rooted in both Torah and mental health resources
My son is only in elementary school. Isn’t it too soon to speak to him about this topic?
Many parents avoid talking to their young sons about puberty, worrying that they might make their kids even more curious about it. But kids today are growing up faster, and many are showing interest in these topics as early as 9 or 10.
While it may feel awkward and uncomfortable, speaking to your son about his body now could be vitally important for his mental health as he grows—and prevent much frustration, confusion, and anxiety later. So, if your intuition tells you that it’s time to talk to your son about puberty, then this program is the perfect fit for you.
How it works:
Once you purchase the program, we will mail the toolkit which includes the guidebook and the video presentation.
Watch the video presentation without your child. Review the guidebook and script.
Have the conversation with your child, using the provided guidebook and script. If you prefer, you can watch the video together with your child.
Review the remaining materials provided as a guide to address any follow-up questions you or your son may have.
If you have any questions or would like a referral, we welcome you to reach out to us at: info@bigtalks.org
What rabbanim and parents are saying
As a parent and mental health advocate, I have tremendous hakaras hatov to Rabbi Tenenbaum and BigTalks for developing and offering these potentially life-saving tools to Klal Yisroel. Rabbi Tenenbaum has thought about every detail that parents and adolescent boys may need when they are ready to have this special and sometimes uncomfortable conversation. Through his warm and accepting manner, Rabbi Tenenbaum puts us at ease and helps us embrace and feel supported by this incredible toolkit. Every parent of young boys should have this toolkit in their toolbox!
Mrs. Helena Cohen
Oh, how I wish this had been done for me! Your masterpiece curriculum must be implemented everywhere, with the purpose to train bochurim to grow in kedusha by being prepared. However, another extremely important reason to teach it is pikuach nefoshos! You will save so many boys from depression, and worse. Imagine mesivtas and yeshiva gedolos with no boys struggling so anxiously with this! It will be Gan Eden. And you, Rabbi Tenenbaum, the Nachshon ben Aminadav, will get the schar. Ashreichem! Yehi rotzoin milifnei avinu shebashomayim shetisboreich b’chol habrochois, shetamshich b’avoidas hakoidesh mitoich brius harchova ve’simcha. V’sheyachad im rayascha tiru v’tirvu harbei nachas mikol hamishpacha ha’yekara.
Menahel, an NY Yeshiva
The saying goes “ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” but in this case it is worth a lifetime of emotional and mental health. Educating your child in a healthy manner doesn’t just help them for their teenage years, it will also be a tremendous help for them in marriage as well. I cannot wait for the day that this is streamlined into our chinuch system which will result in real doros “yeshorim”. Thank you, R’ Shmuel Tenenbaum, for helping my family personally and for really making a difference in the world that so many will benefit from. Hashem should give you koach to continue your Avodas Hakodesh.